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Living Sacrifice

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This is the twelfth article in the “New Life” series, written to address the needs of those seeking or those new to their faith in Jesus. This series may also be helpful to anyone who suspects that something is missing from their faith walk.

Yehovah’s goal since the beginning of creation is to establish His Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven.  His glory will be manifested on earth as it is in Heaven.

It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. They were calling out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!” Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke (Isaiah 6:1-4).

The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard.Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world (Psalm 19:1-4).

Yeshua sacrificed everything, even His life, to establish Yehovah’s kingdom on earth.  He paid our debt so that we could be reconciled to Yehovah and be included in His glorious Kingdom. Yeshua conquered death so that we could be raised to new life in Him.

God was in [Yeshua] reconciling the world to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:19).

But [Yehovah], being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with [Yeshua]—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in [Messiah Yeshua], so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in [Messiah Yeshua] (Ephesians 2:4-7).

Yeshua lived and died to establish the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.  We, as His followers, are called to dedicate our lives to Kingdom work.  We can expect persecution and trials, for we are not greater than our Master.

If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me (John 15:18-21).

“Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come (Matthew 24:9-14).

Many of our brothers and sisters in over 150 countries in the world are suffering persecution.  They must worship in secret.  Some lose family, some are betrayed by those close to them. Some are imprisoned. Some lose their homes, jobs, and community for the sake of the Kingdom. Some are tortured or martyred for their faith. If you are among these people, please know that you are not alone.  Many brothers and sisters throughout the world are praying for you. Yeshua promised that He would never leave you or forsake you.  The Holy Spirit lives in you.    

How can we prepare for these trials?  Will we be able to stay faithful to Yeshua just as He is to us? 

  • Spend time each day with Yeshua.  As you grow closer to Yeshua and experience His love, you will love Him in return and better understand Him.  You will desire His presence above everything else.

“I [Yeshua] am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing (John 15:5).

  • Read and memorize Scripture each day. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you. Memorize passages that are important to you. Recite your memory verses at least once a day, especially when you need comfort or strength.

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right (2 Timothy 3:16).

  • Ask Yeshua to heal your soul wounds, help you to rid yourself of sin, resentment, or bitterness from the past.  Forgive each person who has hurt you in the past and forgive each new offense right away.  It is difficult to forgive others because they do not deserve it. We must remember that Yehovah forgives us, yet we do not deserve His forgiveness either.

 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins (Matthew 4:15-16).

  • We desire to avoid all difficulties and pain. We resist danger. Persecution threatens us. As you read through the Bible, you will discover that Yehovah does not always remove the trouble, but He promises to go before us to fight our battles.  He will walk through the fire or raging waters with us.  We are never alone, even if it feels that way.

[Yehovah] your God who goes before you, He shall fight for you, just as all that He did for you in Egypt before your eyes (Deuteronomy 1:30).

  • The Holy Spirit strengthens us and guides us. As we become sensitive to that quiet voice inside us, we will know when to speak or act and what to say or do. We will know when to be quiet. Yield to the Holy Spirit and ask Him to be in control.  It takes practice and perseverance to let go of control.

 Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words (Romans 8:26).

  • Ask Jesus to give you a love for those who offend you. It is not our nature to love people who hurt us, yet it is our calling.  Yeshua is our perfect example. He gave His life for us while we were His enemies.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,that you may be children of your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:43-45).

Why should we endure to the end?  What will keep us going when everything looks so bleak?

He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection (Psalm 91:4).

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and staff, they comfort me (Psalm 23:4).

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39).

“God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way (Matthew 5:10-12).

Cherished Gems

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This is the eleventh article in the “New Life” series, written to address the needs of those seeking or those new to their faith in Jesus. This series may also be helpful to anyone who suspects that something is missing from their faith walk. Photo credited to: Malerapaso

In the 45 years that I have walked with Yeshua (Jesus), I have made some discoveries that have helped me to mature spiritually and emotionally. These gems, as I call them, have given me comfort, strength, and guidance through my sojourn in a fallen world. I want to share some of these gems with you. I hope they will bless you.

You are never alone, no matter your circumstances. You may not feel His presence, but Yeshua is always with you. The Holy Spirit is also always with you to comfort you and guide you. You can talk to your Heavenly Father any time, day or night. You are loved and valued more than you can imagine.

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you (John 14:18-20).

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you (John 14:16-17).

What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows (Matthew 10:29).

Your real identity comes from Yehovah. The adversary (Satan/hasatan) and his followers work very hard to confuse you about who you really are. They will try to convince you that you are not good enough, that you do not belong, that you are beyond help, that Yehovah does not really love you. Yeshua called hasatan the father of lies. Yehovah created you, loves you, and He determines who you really are.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them (Genesis 1:27).

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17).

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well (Psalm 139:14).

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).

Yeshua heals not only our bodies, but our souls. In your walk with Yeshua, you may remember painful things from the past. Do not be frightened by this. Yeshua is bringing these memories to mind so that He can work with you to heal them. Although it is distressing at the time, the process will not only heal the bad memory, but will also draw you closer to Yeshua. You will have a stronger sense of His love and commitment to you, and you will trust Him more. Some soul wounds are so deep that you will need to go through several sessions with Yeshua. The memories will return at another time when Yeshua deems that you are ready, but each time you will get better and stronger.

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise (Jeremiah 17:14).

And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people (Matthew 4:23).

[Yehovah] is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18).

Yeshua is our protector and provider. Yeshua is our shepherd who will see to our needs. He did not desert us when faced with cruel punishment and death. He gave His life to ransom us and restore us to His Father. He conquered death and rose from the grave. He continues to watch over us. One day soon, He will return to us and live among us once again. Call on Yeshua whenever you feel afraid, lonely, betrayed, threatened, or sad. Yeshua will help you. He understands your suffering.

My servant grew up in [Yehovah’s] presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. (Isaiah 53:2-4).

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is [Yehovah] your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him (1 John 5:14-15).

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold (Psalm 18:2).

You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance (Psalm 32:7).

Yehovah keeps His promises. We can trust Him because He is always true to His word. He expects the same of us. If you promise something to Yehovah or to another, be sure to keep your promise. We must be like Yehovah so that we reflect His glory.

I will not violate my covenant or alter the word that went forth from my lips (Psalm 89:34).

God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? (Numbers 23:19).

Yehovah is long-suffering and forgiving. In the Bible accounts of Israel and the other nations, Yehovah often waited hundreds of years, during which time He would send prophets to the people and warning signs to encourage them to repent and to seek His forgiveness. Yehovah is patient with us in the same way. When any person or nation sincerely turns back to Yehovah and asks for forgiveness, He does not hesitate to forgive us and welcome us back.

We must be patient with others and ready to forgive them as our Father forgives us. In the eighth article in this series, entitled “Our Hidden Past Revealed,” we found that early Gentile and Jewish followers of Jesus (Yeshua) did not forgive each other, but held on to anger and bitterness, which eventually turned to hatred. The hatred led to a total separation about two hundred years after Yeshua’s return to His Father. The separation has only recently started to mend, but it is still far from complete.

He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust Psalm 103:10-14).

If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins (Matthew 6:14-15).

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working (James 5:16).

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results (James 5:16).

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).

If we seek Yehovah, He will reveal Himself to us. Our Father wants us to know Him and love Him as He knows and loves us. He wants to share His wisdom with us and teach us. Yehovah is always available to us.

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him (Hebrews 11:6).

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13).

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known (Jeremiah 33:3).

If you lose everyone and everything in your life but still have Yehovah, you will be rich beyond measure. I speak from my own experience. Cling to Yehovah in good times and bad times. He will never let you down.

“I call on heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have presented you with life and death, the blessing and the curse. Therefore, choose life, so that you will live, you and your descendants, loving [Yehovah] your God, paying attention to what he says and clinging to him — for that is the purpose of your life! (Deuteronomy 30:19-20).

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need (Matthew 6:33).

The more you seek Yehovah, the more gems you collect. You will begin to see things as He sees them. He will share His wisdom with you. You are forever loved and cherished.

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If [Yehovah] is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?3 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:31-39).

Rooted in Yehovah

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This is the tenth article in the “New Life” series, written to address the needs of those seeking or those new to their faith in Jesus. This series may also be helpful to anyone who suspects that something is missing from their faith walk. 

In last week’s article, entitled Hatred and Heresies, we encountered some of the lies and heresies that have been passed down through the centuries since the Gentile and Jewish followers of Jesus separated.  This week, let us turn to more pleasant topics to learn how we are called to be rooted in Yehovah.

Who is Yehovah?  Yehovah is the name of the God we worship, the only true God, our Creator.  His name has been hidden from us for centuries, but He is once again making it known to His people. There are many false gods who are impostors introduced by hasatan.  Hasatan means “the adversary” in Hebrew. In English, we call him Satan, but it is not really a name.

Even though I have used Hebrew words in previous articles, I used English terms at the beginning of this series because they are familiar to most people. The Hebrew terms I will use from this point on were lost to Gentile followers of Jesus for centuries. Gentiles have much to learn from Jews, and Jews have much to learn from Gentiles.  This is not a new religion or a strange cult. Our Father’s plan from the beginning is to establish His kingdom on Earth as it is in Heaven, and he intends to include everyone who chooses to belong to His Son.

As I mentioned in last week’s article, the Gentiles established Sunday as the day of worship to honor their sun god. Our Father, Yehovah, commands that the seventh day of the week shall be a day of rest, a day of fellowship with Yehovah.  We can worship and visit with Yehovah any day of the week, but the seventh day, Shabbat (Sabbath), is our special day with Yehovah. 

So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation (Genesis 2:3).

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy (Exodus 20:8-11).

Moreover, I gave them my Sabbaths, as a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am [Yehovah] who sanctifies them (Ezekiel 20:12).

It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed (Exodus 31:17).

For centuries, we have believed that we were honoring Jesus by celebrating Christmas and Easter.  However, Christmas and Easter are pagan holidays.  The Gentile leaders added Jesus to their pagan celebrations when they separated from the Jews. Thus, they started a new religion, mixing the sacred with the pagan. Yehovah established seven appointed times throughout the year to honor His Son, Yeshua.  In Hebrew, Yeshua means “salvation” and “deliverance.” 

The appointed times (also called Feasts) begin in Spring.  The first is called Passover, and we remember when the angel of death passed over the homes where blood had been placed on the doorposts and lintels of the houses.  The death of the firstborn was the last of the ten plagues against Egypt.  Later, the firstborn Son of Yehovah, would be sacrificed to set people free and to pay their sin debt.

In this manner you shall eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord’s Passover. For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am [Yehovah]. The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt (Exodus 12:11-13).

The next day he saw [Yeshua] coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29)!

The Feast of Unleavened Bread begins on the day after Passover and continues for seven days.  During this time, we remove the leaven from our houses and eat only unleavened bread.  The leaven represents sin.  We are reminded to remove any sin from our lives. 

“[Yehovah’s] Passover begins at sundown on the fourteenth day of the first month. On the next day, the fifteenth day of the month, you must begin celebrating the Festival of Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:5-6).

Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For [Yeshua], our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth (1 Corinthians 5:6-8).

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die (John 6:47-50).

The third feast is called First Fruits.  The Feasts are centered around the three harvest times in Israel.  Barley is harvested in Spring, wheat is harvested in Summer, and produce such as olives and grapes is harvested in Autumn. The Israelites were commanded to bring to Yehovah the best part of their harvest to honor Yehovah for blessing them with good food. We bring our best because Yehovah always gives His best. Yeshua (Jesus) is our First Fruits, the promise of resurrection for all of us.

Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine (Proverbs 3:9-10).

But in fact [Yeshua] has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (1 Corinthians 15-20).

The fourth feast is celebrated approximately seven weeks later and is called the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot in Hebrew).  This is the day that Yehovah gave His commands on stone tablets at Mt. Sinai and made a covenant with the Israelites.  The Israelites broke the covenant right away and worshipped false gods.  Three thousand people lost their lives as a result. This is also the day, many years later, when the Holy Spirit descended on the followers of Yeshua and wrote Yehovah’s law on their hearts.  Three thousand people gave their lives to Yeshua and became His followers.

All the people took the gold rings from their ears and brought them to Aaron. Then Aaron took the gold, melted it down, and molded it into the shape of a calf. When the people saw it, they exclaimed, “O Israel, these are the gods who brought you out of the land of Egypt!” (Exodus 32:3-4)

 Moses told them, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Each of you, take your swords and go back and forth from one end of the camp to the other. Kill everyone—even your brothers, friends, and neighbors.” The Levites obeyed Moses’ command, and about 3,000 people died that day (Exodus 32:27-28).

The festival of Shavu‘ot arrived, and the believers all gathered together in one place. Suddenly there came a sound from the sky like the roar of a violent wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then they saw what looked like tongues of fire, which separated and came to rest on each one of them. They were all filled with the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) and began to talk in different languages, as the Spirit enabled them to speak (Acts 2:1-4).

Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of [Yeshua] for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away all who have been called by the Lord our God.” Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”

 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all (Acts 2:38-41).

The feasts of Yehovah are both memorials to what Yehovah has already done for us and teaching tools to prepare us for what He will do for us in the future.  The last three feasts are held in the autumn and are rehearsals for what is still to come. 

The fall feasts begin with the Feast of Trumpets or Yom Teruah (day of blowing, shouting).  The Jewish people today call this day Rosh Hashanah (the head of the civil year). 

The Feast of Trumpets is a day for blowing shofars and trumpets and for shouting.  The blast of trumpets or shofars often signaled the people to go to war or to march.  Many believe that this will be the time when Yeshua returns to rescue His people and to rout hasatan and his followers.

 And [Yehovah] spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe a day of solemn rest, a memorial proclaimed with blast of trumpets, a holy rehearsal. You shall not do any ordinary work, and you shall present a food offering to [Yehovah].” (Leviticus 23:23-25)

The blowing of trumpets or shofars also begins a ten-day period in which we remove any sin in our lives. It is a time for serious reflection as we ready ourselves for the Day of Atonement, known in the Bible as Yom HaKippurim (day of coverings).  It is often called today Yom Kippur (day of covering). This was the day when the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies in the Temple to make atonement for the people.  Yehovah explains how this day is to be observed in Leviticus 16. Today, we connect this to our High Priest, Yeshua, who made atonement for our sins by dying in our place.

 [Yehovah] said to Moses,“The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. Hold a sacred assembly and deny yourselves, and present a food offering to [Yehovah]. Do not do any work on that day, because it is the Day of Atonement, when atonement is made for you before [Yehovah] your God. Those who do not deny themselves on that day must be cut off from their people. I will destroy from among their people anyone who does any work on that day. You shall do no work at all. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live. It is a day of sabbath rest for you, and you must deny yourselves. From the evening of the ninth day of the month until the following evening you are to observe your sabbath (Leviticus 23:26-32).

For [Yeshua] did not enter into a holy place made with human hands, which was only a copy of the true one in heaven. He entered into heaven itself to appear now before [Yehovah] on our behalf. And he did not enter heaven to offer himself again and again, like the high priest here on earth who enters the Most Holy Place year after year with the blood of an animal. If that had been necessary, [Yeshua] would have had to die again and again, ever since the world began. But now, once for all time, he has appeared at the end of the age to remove sin by his own death as a sacrifice.

 And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, so also [Yeshua] was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him (Hebrews 9:24-28).

The seventh and final celebration that Yehovah provides is called Sukkot or the Feast of Tabernacles or the Festival of Shelters.  The Israelites recalled and celebrated how Yehovah dwelt with them for forty years in the wilderness as they dwelt in temporary shelters called sukkot in Hebrew.  Today, we also recall that Yeshua, Son of Yehovah, came to live with us and among us.  We eagerly await His return to remove evil from our midst and reign over us (Revelation 7 and 21).

And [Yehovah] said to Moses, “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. Begin celebrating the Festival of Shelters on the fifteenth day of the appointed month—five days after the Day of Atonement. This festival to [Yehovah] will last for seven days. On the first day of the festival you must proclaim an official day for holy assembly, when you do no ordinary work. For seven days you must present special gifts to [Yehovah]. The eighth day is another holy day on which you present your special gifts to [Yehovah]. This will be a solemn occasion, and no ordinary work may be done that day (Leviticus 23:33-36). 

This is a brief introduction to the appointed times of Yehovah. The appointed times celebrate what Yehovah has done for us, but they are also teaching tools from our Father. There is a lot of good information online and in books about this topic. Peter and I have written other articles on each of the appointed times.  As always, ask the Holy Spirit (Ruach haKodesh) to guide you. Yehovah is calling us to be rooted in Him.

Discerning the Will of God

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This is the seventh article in the “New Life” series written to address the needs of those seeking or those new to their faith in Jesus. This series may also be helpful to anyone who suspects that something is missing from their faith walk.

Now that you have a new life in Jesus and are a citizen of Heaven, it is time to throw out your worldly lifestyle.  It is time to learn God’s values and priorities, for God is now our Father as well as our King. For example, the world, under Satan’s influence, teaches us to be selfish, but God teaches us to be as considerate of others as we are of ourselves. We are to focus on others’ welfare and dignity more than our own. The world teaches us to put our pleasures and addictions first, but God teaches us to put Him first. If we do so, God will see to our needs.

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Matthew 6:33).

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:2).

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20).

God tells us in the Bible what He expects of us.  God, the Creator, determines what is right and good. Jesus tells us that He is the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus is our perfect example of how to live a life pleasing to His Father because He always follows His Father’s commands. Jesus shows that we can be all that God created us to be.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).

“I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11).

 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you (John 13:14-15).

Sadly, Satan works to confuse and mislead us. Satan wants to thwart God’s plan of establishing His Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven. When he tempted Jesus in the wilderness, Satan quoted Scripture but distorted either the wording or the interpretation. When Jesus responded, He quoted from the Bible correctly. You can read about this in Mathew 4:1-11.  Some people today distort Scripture for their own purposes, or perhaps they are just confused or misinformed. Still, they claim to have the answers and entice us to listen.  There are many false teachings and false prophecies today, so be sure to ask the Holy Spirit to help you discern what is from God and what is not.

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 John 4:1).

 “If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you (John 14:15-17).

We can start by weaning ourselves off worldly pursuits and influences and focusing our attention on time spent with Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.  We can search the Bible and ask the Holy Spirit to direct us to helpful passages and to give us a clear understanding.  If we have submitted ourselves to Jesus, then we submit ourselves to His perspective of good and evil.  If we read through the Bible, we will begin to see the patterns of what God deems as good or evil.

But test everything; hold fast what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.. (Colossians 2:8).

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him (James 1:5).

But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil (Hebrews 5:14).

How can we be sure that we are following God’s will?  First, we can read and study the Bible with the help of the Holy Spirit.  Second, we can spend time in prayer and sitting at the feet of Jesus.  Third, we can pray for discernment.  We can be like bank tellers who are taught to know every detail about authentic money.  They know so much about authentic money that they can easily spot counterfeits.  If we get to know Father, Jesus, and the Bible very well, we will easily detect false teaching and the enemy’s lies.

If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain (1 Timothy 6:3-5).

Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them (Hosea 14:9).

As we grow in maturity and discernment, we will be able to detect and throw out the lies of the enemy. We can embrace all that our Father wants to share with us. We can become all that He intended for us to be. We will know the truth and the truth will set us free.

 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32).

Religion vs. Relationship

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This is the sixth article in the “New Life” series, written to address the needs of those seeking or those new to their faith in Jesus. This series may also be helpful to anyone who suspects that something is missing from their faith walk. 

You may hear the phrase “religion vs. relationship” from others who follow Jesus.  What does this mean?  Religion is when you worship a deity, listen to leaders who tell you about the deity, and follow whatever rituals and practices the leaders establish to worship the deity. You form an opinion of the deity based on what the leaders tell you. Allow me to share an analogy with you that I hope will illustrate this more clearly. Years ago, when I was a teenager, we would save our hard-earned money to buy teen magazines featuring articles about rock stars and movie stars.  Often, we were invited to join a fan club for a certain star.  For a fee, we could learn some facts about the star, such as favorite foods, hobbies, and the like.  We devoured every word we could read about the star, but we never interacted with the star, who did not even know we existed.  Religion is a lot like a fan club. On the other hand, a relationship involves interacting directly with another person, getting to know each other, and learning each other’s perspectives and preferences. You form bonds and ties. You learn to trust each other.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me (Revelation 3:20).

I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me (John 10:14).

Many of us grew up learning about God and Jesus in a church.  We learned about them, but we did not interact with them.  We heard about God’s love for us, but we did not experience His love directly.  We did not form a bond and did not learn first-hand that we could trust God.  We took the leader’s word on everything, whether right or wrong. When trouble came, we did not know where to turn.  Eventually, we began to question whether God or Jesus is real.  Many of us felt alone and cheated.

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all (Psalm 34:17-19).

Don’t put your trust in human leaders; no human being can save you. When they die, they return to the dust; on that day all their plans come to an end. Happy are those who have the God of Jacob to help them and who depend on the Lord their God,the Creator of heaven, earth, and sea, and all that is in them. He always keeps his promises; he judges in favor of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry (Psalm 146:3-7).

Many people attend church for years without encountering Jesus and forming a bond with Him. Perhaps they do not realize that such a relationship is possible. It is when we interact with Jesus directly that we mature spiritually and grow more like Him.  We learn to trust Jesus and know where to turn when trouble strikes. Those who do not have a relationship with Jesus miss out on the most rewarding relationship of all. 

Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws” (Matthew 7:21-23)

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:5).

How do we have a relationship with Jesus?  We spend time with Him every day, talking and listening.  We put our burdens at His feet.  We share our joys and sorrows with Him. We thank Him for all that He has done for us and all that He is doing for us now.  Jesus is not only our friend, but our King. We look to Him for guidance and protection.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13).

Today, lies and misinformation abound.  False prophets seem to be around every corner. It is difficult and confusing to distinguish what is true.  How do we discern what is true? We can learn a lesson from bank tellers. Bank tellers are trained to know the authentic money in detail.  Because they are so familiar with the original, they can spot counterfeits right away.   As we interact with Jesus and get to know Him well, we can more easily detect the lies about Him. We can also ask the Holy Spirit to help us distinguish the truth from the lies.

 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction (2 Peter 2:1).

Fellowship with other Christians is important.  Ask Jesus to direct you to a church or home fellowship that will foster both a relationship with Jesus and submission to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  Look for people who are diligently searching for the truth and are not swayed by personal agendas. Interacting with our brothers and sisters in Jesus helps us. We can learn from each other and support each other.

And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near (Hebrews 10:25).

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles (Acts 2:42-43).

Religion is man-made and leads to disagreements and divisions. We can see from the number of different denominations that abound.  Religion is man’s attempt to relate to God on man’s terms.  Relationship acknowledges that God is in charge and we follow His ways. We can also have a personal relationship with the Father because we are now His children. Our Father’s ways lead to love, respect, and unity.  Man-made ways lead to resentment, judgment, and disharmony.

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him (1 John 3:10).

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you (Matthew 6:6).

Relationship with Jesus invites the Holy Spirit. You cannot understand this personal relationship intellectually.  You relate to Jesus in the spiritual realm with the help of the Holy Spirit.  Those who do not seek the help of the Holy Spirit are likely to scoff at the idea of a personal relationship with Jesus.  The Holy Spirit helps us to understand spiritual matters. 

But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means (1 Corinthians 2:14).

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. For he will not speak on his own authority, but will speak whatever he hears, and will tell you what is to come (John 16:13).

Understanding Scripture

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This is the fifth article in the “New Life” series written to address the needs of those seeking or those new to their faith in Jesus. This series may also be helpful to anyone who suspects that something is missing from their faith walk.

The Bible, also known as Scripture, can seem overwhelming, even intimidating, to those not familiar with it.  The Bible is different from any other book.  It is more than a collection of prose, poetry, prophecy, and historical accounts.  The Bible informs, teaches, inspires, admonishes, encourages, and comforts us. It is an instruction book about our origin, history, and future.  The Holy Spirit is the true author of Scripture and helps us to understand what we are reading and apply it in our lives.  Just ask for His help.  

The Bible is a collection of books.  Each book has chapters and numbered verses, which can be helpful.  A Bible reference is made up of the name of the book, the chapter number followed by a colon, and the verse or verses referenced. The Bible was originally written in books as we see today.  The chapters and verses in each book were added later. 

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

It helps to have a framework to reference as you read through the Bible. The framework is that God created the world to establish His Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven.  Satan wants to destroy God’s work.  Despite the interference and setbacks, God will accomplish His goal. Each person has a choice to follow God and be a part of His work, or to follow Satan and be part of the destruction.  A word of warning to those tempted to follow Satan.  He will use you to accomplish his purpose, but you are part of God’s creation, so he will eventually destroy you as well.  On the other hand, those who choose to follow God will live forever with Him in His glory.

The Bible is more than just a history book. It is also God’s love letter to His people. It helps us to keep in mind Yehovah’s goal. He will establish His Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven, and He wants every one of us to join Him, but He will not force us. However, we do not join Him on our terms, but on His terms, because He is our Creator and the source of all true wisdom.

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life (John 10:10).

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:2).

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one (John 10:28-30)

There are patterns and common themes throughout Scripture.  For example, God reaches out to people to teach them His ways. They follow His ways, and He blesses and protects them.  They thrive. Then they begin to think they succeeded on their own.  They stray away from God, thinking they are merely doing their own thing, not realizing that they are now doing Satan’s bidding. They fall into trouble and cry out to God for help.  He responds to their cries, and the cycle begins again. With the help of the Holy Spirit and learning from Scripture, we can end the destructive part of this cycle.  Each of us has a choice:  we can follow God, help build up His Kingdom, and live forever with God, or we can follow Satan, help tear down the Kingdom of God, and eventually be destroyed.  It may seem that there is a grey area where we can stay neutral and operate on our own, but this is a delusion.  There is no grey area.

In Matthew 12:30, Jesus tells us, “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.”

“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil” (Proverbs 3:7).

Another recurring theme in the Bible is the making of covenants.  God makes an agreement or contract with one or more people. God made covenants with Noah, Abraham, and Israel.  God is always true to His word and keeps His promises.  We are to keep our promises to Him. God always keeps His end of the agreement, but people often fail to keep their promises. In Scripture, we can see the graciousness and mercy of God and the failure of people.

Throughout Scripture, there is a recurring theme of God miraculously providing for His people. The stories of God providing for His people can bolster our faith and trust as we see His consistent provision.  He can be trusted to take care of us. God provided the Israelites with manna in the desert (Exodus 16).  Jesus fed over 5,000 people (Matthew 14:13-21).

Throughout the Bible, we find that suffering and glory are closely connected. God sometimes allows suffering so that we can be molded into the people He intends for us to be. 

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you (1 Peter 5:10).

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us (Romans 5:3-5).

With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can use the Bible to learn how to interact with God. We find examples of how God protects, teaches, encourages, and comforts us.  We can learn from others’ mistakes that are recorded in the Bible.  We learn God’s wisdom, which is far superior to the so-called wisdom of the world. Reading and studying God’s word strengthens us and nourishes our spirits and souls. We learn what God expects of us.

But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone,
    but by every word that comes from the mouth of God’” (Matthew 4:4).

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

Read and study the Bible every day.  You may not always understand what you are reading, but the Holy Spirit will teach you what you need to know at this time. As you grow and mature spiritually, so will your understanding of God’s ways. The Holy Spirit will guide you into greater depths of understanding if you are faithful to read Scripture often.  Also, there are excellent Bible studies available online and in congregations.  Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to the one that is best for you right now. No matter how often you read the Bible, there is always something new and fresh to discover in God’s love letter to us.

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success (Joshua 1:8).

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119:105).

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you (Psalm 119:11).

The Unseen Battlefield

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This is the fourth article in the “New Life” series written to address the needs of those seeking or those new to their faith in Jesus. This series may also be helpful to anyone who suspects that something is missing from their faith walk. 

You no doubt have noticed that life can be difficult.  Sometimes it is challenging to get through one day, let alone one hour, at a time.  For many of us, our difficulties are what brought us to Yeshua in the first place.  We realized that we needed help; we could not make it on our own. Why is there so much turmoil and heartache in our lives?

 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

Whether or not we realize it, we live on an unseen battlefield.  Understanding this battlefield and how it came about helps us.  Just as we all have the same Creator, we also all have an unseen enemy who wants to harm us, even destroy us.

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12).

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life (John 10:10).

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).

God creates only what is good and fruitful.  He created us to grow and to thrive.  God desires only good and pleasant things for us.  It was the same when He created Heavenly beings.  One Heavenly spirit was especially beautiful and was appointed to a high position. He began to boast about himself.  At some point, he decided that he could replace God. He gathered an army of other Heavenly spirits to go against their Creator.  They were cast out of Heaven.  We call the rebellious leader Satan in English, taken from the Hebrew hasatan, which means “the adversary”.  You can read about this in Ezekiel 28:11-19.  The beginning of the chapter discusses the prince of Tyre, but many believe verses 11-19 refer to Satan.  Verse 13 says, “You were in Eden, the garden of God”.  Humans were banished from Eden after Adam and Eve sinned (Genesis 3:22-24), so these words cannot apply to the prince of Tyre. Ezekiel also says that this spiritual being walked among the stones of fire, which are near the throne of God (verse 14).

Since the adversary could no longer go directly after God, he decided to go after humans who were created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27).  God had created a delightful garden on the earth called Eden.  Everything was beautiful and perfect, a reflection of Heaven.  We were created in God’s image to reflect His glory. Satan sought revenge by going after God’s creation, especially us.  Satan tricked humans into serving him, rather than obeying and serving God. Adam and Eve believed Satan’s lies and disobeyed God (Genesis 3). They no longer reflected the glory of God, and the earth was cursed.  When we disobey God’s commands, we do not reflect His glory, and we separate ourselves from Him.  Satan and his followers are constantly at work to claim the earth’s inhabitants for their own.  We are caught in the middle of the battle.  So, what can we do?

The first thing is to realize that there is a spiritual realm, in addition to the physical realm. We are used to operating in the physical realm.  When we are born again, our spirit belongs to God. When we are born again, the Holy Spirit moves into us to care for our spirit and to teach our spirit how to live in the Kingdom of Heaven.  Our job is to cooperate with the Holy Spirit to learn how to operate in both realms.  The physical realm reflects what is going on in the spiritual realm. Jesus set the perfect example of operating in both realms while He was on earth.

For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children (Romans 8:16).

Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed (John 5:19-20).

We can pray to our Father and Jesus to ask for help. The Holy Spirit will guide us, if we ask Him.  We can pray for discernment so that we can discern what the Holy Spirit is guiding us to do.  The Bible teaches us about God and His ways. We can praise and worship God in all things. Every day, we should remember to put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18).

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right (2 Tim 3:16).

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future (John 16:13).

We need never be alone on the battlefield.  As born-again believers in Jesus, we have access to the Father and Jesus. We learn from them how to overcome the enemy’s attacks. We mature in operating in both the physical and the spiritual realms.

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:37-39).

Living with Jesus

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This is the second article in the “New Life” series written to address the needs of those seeking or those new to their faith in Jesus. This series may also be helpful to anyone who suspects that something is missing from their faith walk.

When we ask Jesus to be Lord of our lives, at first it may seem as if nothing has happened, nothing has changed.  In reality, radical changes have occurred, but not that we can see with our physical eyes.  In Heaven, our record with God has been cleansed.  We are starting a new life.  We belong not only to Jesus, but to His Father. Jesus’ Father is now our Father.

 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me (John 14:6).

“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith”(Galatians 3:26)

As we spend time with Jesus, we will begin to sense His love and care for us.  Our Father also loves us more than we can imagine.  Jesus loved us enough to die for us centuries before we were born, but His love does not stop there.  Jesus knows that we have been hurt in the past.  He knows when we feel sad, threatened, lonely, or tempted.  He rejoices with us when we are happy, and He cries with us when we are hurting. He has experienced all the things we have, even temptation.  He has not sinned, but He carried all our sins to His crucifixion, so He is well acquainted with them. Jesus heals our broken hearts.

“But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children” (Psalm 103:17).

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him (Psalm 103:11).

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin” (Hebrews 4:15).

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; (Isaiah 61:1).

Jesus is our perfect example of how to live in the Kingdom of Heaven.  He came to serve others.  He did not seek glory for Himself, but for His Father.  He came to do the work His Father assigned to Him. He shows us how we are to live.

“…just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45).

I  (Jesus) glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do (John 17:4).

For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will (John 6:38).

We no longer live for ourselves.  We have a new identity in Jesus and a new purpose for our lives.  Our job now is to live for Jesus just as He died, was resurrected, and now lives for us.  Jesus is at work establishing His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.  Our job is to assist Him in this work. Jesus does not leave us on our own, but sends His Holy Spirit to live in us and guide us.  The Holy Spirit will equip us with whatever we need to do our part.  We must learn to be sensitive to the prompting, the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit.

“I have been crucified with [Jesus], and I no longer live, but [Jesus] lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Messiah Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10)

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you”(Matthew 28:19-20).

You may feel confused and overwhelmed at this point, but take heart. You have many brothers and sisters (we all have the same Father) in Jesus who have experienced what you are now experiencing.  Ask Jesus to send some brothers and sisters to help you. Up to now, you have learned values, priorities, and survival skills from the world’s perspective.  As you learn more about Jesus and your Father, you will discover that they have a very different viewpoint.  It will take some time to get used to it, so be patient with yourself.  Persistence will pay off, and eventually you will see and appreciate the wisdom and beauty of God’s ways.

Identity Crisis?

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This is the first article in the “New Life” series written to address the needs of those seeking or those new to their faith in Jesus. This series may also be helpful to anyone who suspects that something is missing from their faith walk.

Who are you?  Do you know for sure?  Before you write me off as crazy, let me say that most people do not have a clue who they are, or at least not who they were created to be.  For many years, I did not realize who I was or, more accurately, who I am supposed to be.  I did not realize how much more meaningful my life could be.  Many times, I wondered if I had any purpose here on earth or if I was just a mistake.  For years, I did not understand that I am of great importance and value to Someone.

I was in my late twenties, and my outlook was bleak. I was in a dark place, loaded down with burdens and responsibilities, wondering how I could make it even one more day. I was a divorced mom who had just lost another job.  My young daughter and I were living far from family.  I felt alone and abandoned, overwhelmed and terribly inadequate.  My precious daughter deserved much more than I could give her.  I wanted the very best for her, and at this point, I was not sure I could even provide the basics. I felt like an utter failure, worthless.  I did not know where to turn. In desperation, I called a friend and poured out my troubles.  She led me to Jesus.  Thus began my journey into discovering who I really am.  As I prayed, read Scripture, and interacted with my Savior, I learned that I am loved, accepted, and valued more than I could have ever dreamed possible.

The same is true for you.  If you are feeling inadequate, unworthy, or unwanted, take the chance and ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior.  You are worth so much to Jesus that He suffered and died to pay the debt for your sins so that you could be restored to Him and to His Father. 

Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

Romans 5:8 – “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

1 Peter 2:24– “[Jesus] himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

You are not an accident or a mistake.  You have not failed so miserably that you cannot be rescued and restored. It does not matter if others do not love you or even like you.  You are precious in the sight of your Creator.

Romans 8:37-39 – “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Asking Jesus to be Lord of your life does not mean that you and your circumstances will be instantly perfect.  God works in process.  For example, if you plant a seed today, you will not see an adult plant producing flowers or fruit in an hour or even a week. It takes time for the process to unfold.  As Jesus works through the process with you, you will get to know and trust Him.  You will learn many things about God’s Kingdom in Heaven and how different it is from the way this world operates.  The journey will take the rest of your life, and it may seem difficult and harsh at times, but every step will be worth the result.  You will become the person you were designed to be, and you will know favor, glory, and blessing beyond what you can imagine.  I speak from experience.  I am not quite there yet, but I am much closer than when I began forty-five years ago.  This world is not an easy place, but with Jesus at your side, you can become all that you were intended to be.

John 16:33—I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

I encourage you to ask Jesus to forgive your sins and to take over as Lord of your life.  Ask Him to show you who you are to Him.  Ask Him to teach His ways to you.  Speak from your heart and be honest with Him.  If you decide to invite Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, then welcome, new Sister or Brother in Jesus!  Please let me know of your decision so that I can pray for you.  If you have questions about your walk with Jesus, please email me, and I will do my best to answer them.  I encourage you to talk to Jesus, read the Bible, and ask Jesus to help you find other brothers and sisters in the faith.  It is good to have guidance from those more experienced, and it is a joy to have others to encourage you, pray with you, and for you in your new life.  Watch for upcoming articles that I hope will be helpful to you

More Than Conquerors

Spiritual Maturity, , , , , , , , , ,

The world is reeling from evil and threats of evil.  Everything is spiraling out of control.  Governments and economies are shaky and unpredictable.  Many believe that we are living in the end times.  Fear and uncertainty are rising, but this should not be the case for those of us who belong to Yeshua.  This should not be a time for looking around, but for looking up and waiting eagerly for Yeshua’s glorious return.  Throughout the Bible, Yehovah tells those who belong to Him not to fear, but to trust Him.  It helps, in these troubling times, to stay focused on Yehovah and His word.

This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Josh 1:9)

There are wars and rumors of wars. Even though nuclear bombs have been around for approximately eighty years, government leaders today are issuing threats of nuclear war at an alarming rate.  It seems to be not if, but when.  As governments increase spending on warfare, their people are languishing, especially the vulnerable.  What is Yehovah’s response?

Woe to those who enact unjust decrees
and draft oppressive legislation
to deprive the impoverished of justice
and rob my people’s poor of their rights,
looting widows and preying on orphans. What will you do on the day of punishment,
when calamity comes from afar?
To whom will you flee for help?
Where will you leave your wealth so as not to squat among the prisoners
or fall among the slain? (Isaiah 10:1-4 CJB)

Conspiracies and conspiracy theories abound.  Whom should we believe?  Can we trust world leaders, the media, or anyone else?

The Lord has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone else does. He said,

 “Don’t call everything a conspiracy, like they do,
    and don’t live in dread of what frightens them.
Make the Lord of Heaven’s Armies holy in your life.
    He is the one you should fear. He is the one who should make you tremble (Isaiah 8:12-13 NLT)

In over 150 countries, people who follow Yeshua (Jesus) are threatened with or are suffering severe persecution, even martyrdom.  Many who belong to Yeshua have lost lives, family members, homes and employment.  Many of our brothers and sisters in Yeshua have escaped with only the clothes on their backs.  They are now living in refugee camps under deplorable conditions and are in constant danger.  Is there hope for them?

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matt 5:10-12 NKJV).

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice insofar as you share Messiah’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed.  If you are insulted for the name of Messiah Yeshua, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. (1 Peter 4:12-14 ESV).

How much time do we spend on news reports, or planning strategies for “what if”?  Do we let fear drive us to find solutions rather than seek His guidance?  Do we doubt that Yehovah can address all the current issues and the evil that is so prevalent in this world?  When we feel overwhelmed, let us turn our focus from what is happening around us, and meditate on the following verses from Isaiah 40:12-20 (NLT).

    Who else has held the oceans in his hand?
    Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers? Who else knows the weight of the earth
    or has weighed the mountains and hills on a scale?
13 Who is able to advise the Spirit of the Lord?
    Who knows enough to give him advice or teach him?
14 Has the Lord ever needed anyone’s advice?
    Does he need instruction about what is good?
Did someone teach him what is right
    or show him the path of justice?

15 No, for all the nations of the world
    are but a drop in the bucket.
They are nothing more
    than dust on the scales.
He picks up the whole earth
    as though it were a grain of sand.
16 All the wood in Lebanon’s forests
    and all Lebanon’s animals would not be enough
    to make a burnt offering worthy of our God.
17 The nations of the world are worth nothing to him.
    In his eyes they count for less than nothing—
    mere emptiness and froth…

21 Haven’t you heard? Don’t you understand?
    Are you deaf to the words of God—
the words he gave before the world began?
    Are you so ignorant?
22 God sits above the circle of the earth.
    The people below seem like grasshoppers to him!
He spreads out the heavens like a curtain
    and makes his tent from them.
23 He judges the great people of the world
    and brings them all to nothing.
24 They hardly get started, barely taking root,
    when he blows on them and they wither.
    The wind carries them off like chaff.

25 “To whom will you compare me?
    Who is my equal?” asks the Holy One…

28 Have you never heard?
    Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
    No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
29 He gives power to the weak
    and strength to the powerless.
30 Even youths will become weak and tired,
    and young men will fall in exhaustion.
31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
    They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
    They will walk and not faint.

Yehovah is in control and is aware of all that is happening.  Our job is to move boldly under His direction, trusting that He is fighting our battles for us.